FAQ’s

YES. In order to provide excellence in veterinary and patient care, we work as a team with your regular veterinarian.

After your pets consultation and/or treatment with us, we will work closely with them to further monitor and treat any ongoing problems. It is therefore very important that they be involved in the referral process so that we are able to continue to work with them during your pets recovery.

Your regular veterinarian will generally initiate a referral to our veterinary team if they believe your pet requires more advanced and specialised care and/or treatment.

You can also request a referral from your regular veterinarian if you wish. Your regular veterinarian will provide us with your pet’s medical history and any relevant diagnostic testing that has already been completed.

In the case of an emergency, your veterinarian may contact our veterinary team to arrange immediate transfer and care.

There are veterinarians and highly-trained staff in the hospital 24-hours a day, 365-days a year to care for patients.

Plan your visits and phone calls between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Why?

• From 8:00 – 9:00 am and 5:00 – 6:00 pm, our veterinarians and nursing team need to pass on important information about our patients to the following shift.
• From 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m., our overnight veterinary care team is dedicated to the care of our patients, and the treatment of emergencies.

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Yes. Your regular veterinarian will receive written reports and copies of diagnostic tests as they become available.

When your pet is in hospital, regular updates will be sent, so that they are aware of the progress your pet is making.

Our team of clinicians will keep both you and your regular veterinarian updated.

On arrival to North Coast Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre, one of our receptionists will first ensure that we have the correct information about your pet, and yourself.

They will also inform the veterinarian and their staff that you have arrived. If your pet is in a critical condition, one of our nursing team will take your pet through to our treatment room, where triage can be performed, vital signs monitored and emergency treatment given if required.

One of our reception team will direct you into a consulting room when the veterinarian is ready to see you. Your veterinarian will try to keep to your appointment time, however sometimes another case may take longer than anticipated or an emergency can delay their schedule. Whilst every attempt is made to inform clients of delays in advance, this may not always be possible. If you are unable to wait, please inform us as soon as possible. Otherwise please be patient; we do have a WiFi connection if you choose to bring your laptop. Please know that as soon as they are available, your veterinarian will take as much time with you as you need to help your pet.

At the time of consultation your veterinarian will take a history from you and will then likely do a physical examination of your pet. Using this information your veterinarian will estimate the nature of the problem before discussing their recommendations with you. The first step in this process will nearly always involve one or more diagnostic tests (eg: blood test, radiographs, ultrasound etc) to determine the exact nature and extent of the problem. You will be provided with an estimate for the costs of each of these tests; from this you will decide if you wish to go through with any tests and in what order. The second step in this process relates to what treatment and/or surgery options might be available for your pet. We will give you an estimate for these costs as well but they may have to be refined in cases where the diagnosis is not yet certain. We will send your regular veterinarian a detailed letter within a few days.

If your pet is admitted to our hospital, both you and your veterinarian will be notified daily about their progress. While your pet is with us you can be rest assured that your pet will receive around the clock care by our skilled veterinarians and nursing team.

We understand that you want the best possible care for your pet. We will therefore strive to offer you the most effective care available and then let you decide what is best for your pet and for your family. We understand that some people will need time to think through their options before coming to a decision or may choose not to pursue diagnosis or treatment. Our goal is to give you the information needed to make the best decision and then we will do our best to get your pet back to health and living a happy full life.

If your pet comes to our practice as an emergency, it will be immediately taken to our treatment area. Our veterinary and nursing team will perform triage, monitor vital signs and provide emergency treatment if required (e.g oxygen therapy, CPR etc).

The veterinary team will do an assessment, then will advise you on the next steps.

After you check in with one of our reception team, the specialist or referral veterinarian will meet with you and your pet. They will generally perform a physical exam, obtain a complete medical history, and evaluate the pet’s condition. Additional examinations or diagnostics may be required in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition.

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Please see our Cost of Care page for further information.

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Yes. We usually make appointments for the earliest available time within the department. If you have a preference, please have your veterinarian state it or make the request when your appointment is made.

OUR TEAM

Our practice only provides specialist & referral services.

For example, we do not perform vaccinations, regular spays or neuters.

It is therefore crucial for your pet’s overall health that we act an extension of your regular veterinary practice team and work with them on a referral basis.

No, our practice only provides specialty services.

NCVS works directly with your family veterinarian on a referral basis.

When each healthcare provider focuses on what they do best, from routine preventative care or complex treatment for rare illness your pet gets the most comprehensive care possible.

A family veterinarian and a veterinarian both have earned their Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Medicine, requiring 5 years of veterinary college and professional training.  Your family veterinarian, also called a primary care vet, is in general practice and has the primary responsibility to manage your pet’s overall health, including preventative care.

A veterinary specialist has typically completed at least 3 additional years of specialty training.  This can include a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency program in a particular practice area i.e Internal Medicine, Surgery etc.  To become board certified, these candidates must also pass rigorous training and testing requirements.  Following passing these requirements, the veterinarian can then apply for Specialist Registration.

Why would my pet need to go to North Coast Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre?

Your family veterinarian will refer your pet to our specialists and veterinary practitioners if your pet requires specialised testing, treatments or advanced procedures that your family veterinarian does not offer. Your veterinarian’s decision to refer to North Coast Veterinary Specialists (NCVS) means that the optimal care of your pet is your vet’s primary concern.

Our team at NCVS will work closely with your family veterinarian to co-ordinate your pet’s overall care plan. We make sure that you and your veterinarian are informed about any treatment and care provided.